Accurate #5 & #7 for 38/357/9?

[anothernewb]

I've been using HS-6 for my mid load .357 and 9mm 147 plated rounds - but I'm nearly out, and am not (yet) willing to pay $30/lb at the one store I've found it at.

Anyone use these powders in any of the above mentioned calibers?

Local fleet store has started carrying reloading gear and these are on hand, in some decent quantity. IIRC right about $19/lb and change

Downloaded the accurate load guide, which has some loads for them. Just wondering if there was any experience out there

 

[Walkalong]

AA #5 is good for top .38 and +P .38, medium loads for .357, and works great in 9MM. I haven't tried any AA #7.

 

[kerreckt]

I would consider AA#5 a better choice for most loads in 38 and 9mm than AA#7. AA#7 would works better with some of the heavier loads in 357 but I wouldn't use it in 9mm or 38. AA#7 works good with many 10mm loads. Just my experience and opinion.

 

[627PCFan]

I use #5 for 125gn medium powered loads in 357, and #7 works ok in the 158gn variety but I haven’t found a load that works in my gun with it.

I used #5 for 124gn pills in 9mm and #7 for 147gn bullets

IME, HS-6 only burns clean when pushed hard(er). I used it in my cast lead loads a while ago, just didn’t go back. Not enough powder availability

 

[DaBruins]

I also use #5 for 9mm 147 gr Berry's plated bullets, mid-range loads are extremely accurate in my 3" Kimber Ultra Carry II. Bumping the load up a few tenths makes it a little snappier, but it may be less noticeable in a longer-barreled pistol.

 

[anothernewb]

great info, looking more like aa#5 is the primary choice. I should have probably listed the specifics for the uses.

158 grain lead pills in the 38's and .357.
124 and 147 grain berry plated pills in the 9.

Both of these I'm looking for simple reduced load target ammo

I have to say I've had awesome luck with 4.8gr HS-6 and the 147's. with a mag primer they're super clean. I've produced a number of 2" 10 shot groups with that load in my STI 9mm

 

[me26245]

IIRC AA#7 was developed by the Israelis for use in the 9mm. It's all I use in my 9mm loads, ie... NATO, target and plinking. I load strictly 124gr FMJ, plated or 122gr lead.
AA#7 loads worked well enough for me to win my way into the Bianchi Cup.

AA#5 is a faster burning powder and should work well for .38 Special loads, but may not fill a .357 case enough for me. I use Solo1000 for my .38 Special match/practice loads with a 125gr JHP.

 

[Stormin.40]

Good question, I just picked up a pound to duplicate the 38 special +P 135gr short barrel load that I carry in my snubnose.

I also lan to try in 357 with 125gr HP, Lyman list some fairly impressive velocities and I figured the faster powder would produce less muzzle flash than 2400 or other slower powders.

I don't have first hand experience though, not yet at least.

 

[wlkjr]

You're talking less than half a penny a shot difference.

 

[shoebox56]

In the last couple of months been using #7 for 9mm 115 gn RMR plated. Seems ok on my 92fs. I'm relatively new to handloading so have nothing to compare against.

I've been using HS-6 for my mid load .357 and 9mm 147 plated rounds - but I'm nearly out, and am not (yet) willing to pay $30/lb at the one store I've found it at.

Anyone use these powders in any of the above mentioned calibers?

Local fleet store has started carrying reloading gear and these are on hand, in some decent quantity. IIRC right about $19/lb and change

Downloaded the accurate load guide, which has some loads for them. Just wondering if there was any experience out there

 

[Beanie-Bean]

I load AA #5 for my 124 and 147 gr. 9x19 loads, and I've tried AA #7 in .357SIG. It seems to be a little slower than my usual Longshot or Blue Dot which I like a lot for .357SIG and 10mm.

 

[BSA1]

In addition to WALKALONG comments AA-5 is great choice for 32-20 & 32 Magnum.

 

[Steve C]

For your needs I'd buy both AA5 and AA7.

AA7 is the canister grade powder of the powder used by IMI to load 9mm ammo for the Israeli military. I've used it with 115 gr JHP bullets with a 8.0gr charge but the velocity was modest at 1,165 fps from my Glock 19 though the Standard Deviation was only 9 fps. Its burn rate is slower than HS6 and closer to Blue Dot. Like Blue Dot it performs best at higher pressure and works fine in the 9mm. It is a good powder for 147gr in the 9mm.

AA7 is also useful in magnum cartridges like the .357 mag but is really too slow to do well for the .38 spl. I've used AA7 in the .357 mag behind a 125gr JHP's using a load that is about 2 grains over the current maximum listed in Accurate's data but was within data of the time the ammo was loaded. This produced a chrono'd average velocity of 1,485 fps from a 4" S&W 66.

AA5 has a burn rate a little slower than Unique that still makes it good for full power .38 spl loads. I use a load of 7.0grs to duplicate the factory short barrel load with Speer 135gr Gold Dots. I haven't used it in 9mm but it should do as well as Unique which is my preferred powder for the 9mm with 115gr bullets.

 

[Urban_Redneck]

I liked AA#7 for 147 Plated in 9mm

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If like like HS-6 like I do I would suggest using AA#5 since they are close in relative burn rate. What HS-6 can do, AA#5 will also do. Like some of the above, I have not tried AA#7 but I do know AA#7 is very good in the 40 S&W and 10mm.